Monday, April 6, 2026 | View in browser
Upcoming "Bridge at 909" Solo Show Artist, Sean Williams
Help others to stay in the loop.Tell your friends to subscribe to this Arts Newsletter. Copy this link and send it to all the art lovers you know!
The Evanston Arts & Culture Newsletter serves as a centralized hub for arts and culture across the city.
Through Coffee & Practice (one-on-one conversations with Evanston artists and this listening space) we have heard a consistent refrain: while creative activity across Evanston is vibrant and wide-ranging, information about it has often felt dispersed across many platforms. This has made it difficult for residents, artists, organizations, and visitors to easily discover the full breadth of artistic work unfolding in the community.
This newsletter responds to that need by bringing Evanston’s arts ecosystem into a single, consistent, and welcoming space. As the city continues to build out its Arts & Culture website. Our newsletter will serve as a point of connection.
Each issue will share exhibitions, performances, workshops, artist opportunities, funding resources, and creative programs across all artistic disciplines that take place throughout Evanston.
The newsletter will also take an integrative approach by including public-facing arts events at Northwestern University, along with selected cultural happenings nearby, helping readers experience Evanston’s artistic life within a broader local context.
Juelle Daley
Arts Engagement Specialist
Evanston Artist Spotlight
Richard Engling,Writer & Actor
 photo credit:Richard Engling
In Richard's words:
"I’m currently putting the finishing touches on the fourth novel in my comedic Dwayne Finnegan series. Dwayne seems always on the cusp of a breakthrough as a Chicago theatre director, but he has two obstacles: himself and everyone he knows.
I love writing these books because I get to craft stories using my experiences as an actor, director, and artistic director of a Chicago storefront theatre company. I began writing nearly at the same time I began performing, back in high school when my coffee shop theatre group needed material to perform. I’ve spent my life writing and performing, paying my bills as a teacher, truck driver, and copywriter, while performing as an actor, drummer in a jazz quartet, and director.
I founded Polarity Ensemble Theatre in Chicago in 2004 and served as its Artistic Director for twelve long and confusing years.
Please visit my website to sign up for some new stories coming out and discover all of my publications."
photo credit: Evanston Made
Lisa Degliantoni and Liz Cramer are the dynamic duo behind Evanston Made, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to promoting and celebrating Evanston artists and creative entrepreneurs. Lisa is the Founder and Co-Director alongside Liz who also serves as Co-director.
Since 2012, Lisa worked with community members and volunteers to coordinate arts initiatives through the moniker of Evanston Made, with popular events like studio tours, Maker's Markets and the Evanston Made Group Show.
To get more insight on the history of Evanston Made and the organization's new adventures, explore Evanston Made’s organizational timeline that showcases 12 years of programs and events in Evanston. They are designed to bring visibility and opportunity to artists and creative entrepreneurs.
The organization has grown into a membership based-nonprofit boasting 400+ active members and year-round programming.
 Evanston Made signature events put Evanston Arts on the map, driving awareness and engagement from arts patrons throughout the region. From First Saturday Art Events to the annual Holiday Market that features more than 100+ artisans’ works for sale to the Plein Air Festival that takes place every July throughout Evanston - programs are all FREE for patrons to participate in and are known for building Evanston's arts community.
Visit their 2026 Calendar of Events here.
Website: https://evanstonmade.org
Instagram: @evanston_made| Facebook
Art Picks of the Month
Trumpeter and composer Marquis Hill
“His genre exchange has the ease of a walk across the street to a friend’s place.”
—Downbeat
Marquis Hill has made it his mission to break down the barriers between contemporary and classic jazz, hip-hop, R&B, Chicago house, and neo-soul. The Chicago native and 2014 winner of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz Competition has performed as a member of the Chicago Jazz Orchestra, an in-demand sideman, and a bandleader, earning accolades with his working band, the Blacktet. His collaborations have included such artists as Marcus Miller, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Boney James, Kurt Elling, Joe Lovano, and Makaya McCraven. Hill’s latest album, (Beautifulism) Sweet Surrender, was released on March 13.
When: Sat. April 25 | 7:30pm
Where: Pick-Staiger Concert Hall | 50 Arts Circle Drive
Ticket info.
Bookends & Beginnings presents acclaimed author Colm Tóibín in conversation with Mary Dixon (WBEZ) about THE NEWS FROM DUBLIN. Followed by author in-person book signing.
When: April 9 | Off-Site | 7:00pm
Where: Neo-Gothic sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Evanston
Get tickets
Join us for an evening full of literature, laughter, and more, in the Neo-Gothic sanctuary of First United Methodist Church in Evanston.
Tóibín will sign books following the event
National Poetry Month 2026
Join the History Center and RHINO Poetry to close out National Poetry Month 2026 with a special evening of poetry readings inside the Dawes House. Featured poets from RHINO–all have a connection to Evanston via their work–will read selections curated around the theme of HOME. Home: both a contained dwelling and an expansive emotional concept providing belonging, safety, and comfort.
With Participating Poets
Kimberly Dixon-Mays, Richard Hamilton, Gail Goepfert, Jacob Saenz, Marcy Rae Henry, John McCarthy, and Chris Solis Green
When: Thurs, April 30 | 6:30pm | Free
Where: Evanston History Center | 225 Greenwood
For more info
In honor of National Poetry Month, come celebrate the power of words and support your local library! Enjoy an inspiring evening of poetry, featuring local talent and community voices.
Open Mic Poetry Reading - share your own poems or share a poem from your favorite poet.
Admission Donation: $10 or $20
(All proceeds go to the Evanston Public Library to support collections)
When: April 25, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Where: Bookends & Beginnings, 1620 Orrington Ave.
Learn more
A Mini Bar will be open during this event and will have beer, wine, cocktails, nonalcoholic beverages, and snacks available for purchase.
Other Art Antics About Town
 Work in Art Encounter + Center for Independent Futures Art Show at Evanston Public Library
Mark Your Calendar
Art Exhibitions
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Evanston Public Library, About Lasting Impressions: Looking from the Outside In, An Art Encounter + Center for Independent Futures Art Show, through April 30, third Floor Exhibition Space
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Evanston Art Center, La Jaula de Oro, through April 19
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Evanston History Center, Unveiling Evanston Women Artists through April 12
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The Bridge@909, A solo exhibition with Sean Williams, April 13 through June 1 at 909 Davis lobby, Morton City Hall
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Grove Gallery, Women Painting Women, through April 26
Music
Theatre
Film Screenings
Workshops
Northwestern Arts Highlight
Campus & Community
Block Museum Diné in Focus Photography Collective: Artist Talk
When: Sat ,April 11, 2pm-3:30 pm
Where: The Block Museum of Art, 40 Arts Circle Drive
Exhibition: I Was Here: 2026 Community Show Opening Reception
When: Thurs, April 9 | 6:00 pm
Where: Norris University Center, Dittmar Memorial Gallery, 1999 Campus Drive
Spring 2026 Arts & Crafts Fair
When: Thurs, April 16 | 3:00 pm - 7:00pm
Where: Norris University Center, Louis Room, 1999 Campus Drive
Nearby Art Picks
EXPO CHICAGO Contemporary Art Fair showcases leading contemporary and modern art galleries each April at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall, alongside a diverse and inventive program of talks, on-site installations, and public art initiatives.
The 13th edition of EXPO CHICAGO takes place on April 9–12, 2026 at Navy Pier's Festival Hall. Get more information on events and public programs.
CHICAGO PREMIERE presented by Asian Pop-Up Cinema
This Golden Horse Awards Best Film winner is a powerfully emotional journey set during Taiwan’s White Terror period (In Mandarin and Taiwanese w/Chinese and English Subtitles)
When: Friday, April 10 | 7:00 PM (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
Location: AMC NEWCITY 14
Coffee & Practice: Book Your 30 Minutes
Are you an artist living or working in Evanston?
Coffee & Practice is a simple but intentional way for us to meet Evanston artists where they are. Sitting down in cafés and spaces across Evanston, Juelle conducts one-on-one conversations with artists about their work, their needs, and what meaningful support really looks like.
Whether you're a musicians, playwright, actor, filmmaker, visual artist, dancer and all who define themselves as a creative worker in Evanston, this is for you.
Book your time here.
Artist Opportunities
Why not throw your hat in the ring? Pick an opportunity and go for it!
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Funder: Ignite Fund (opens 3/11)
Maximum Grant Size: $10,000
Application Closes: April 13, 2026
Funding Area: Visual Arts (Individual Artist / Collective)
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Funder: Oak Park Area Arts Council - Mini Murals Project 2026
Maximum Grant Size: $1,500
Application Closes: April 30, 2026
Funding Area: Visual Arts (Individual Artist)
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Funder: Skokie Public Library - Public Art Installation RFP
Maximum Grant Size: $75,000
Application Closes: May 1, 2026
Funding Area: Visual Art (individual artist)
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Funder: Illinois Humanities - Gwendolyn Brooks Youth Poetry Awards
Maximum Grant Size: $300 + poem publication /performance
Application Closes: May 1, 2026
Funding Area: Poetry (Individual Youth Artist, K-12)
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